Cannabis for Surgery Pain: Can It Help?

Recovering from surgery is rarely easy. Whether you’ve had a knee replacement, spinal operation, or major abdominal procedure, post-surgical pain can take a serious toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. Traditional pain relief options like opioids and anti-inflammatories can be effective, but they often come with side effects or limited long-term relief. This is where medical cannabis is starting to gain attention, as a potential alternative or supplement for managing surgery-related pain.

Common surgeries where pain relief is essential

Pain management is a key part of recovery for many common surgeries, including:

• Orthopaedic surgeries: Such as knee or hip replacements, shoulder repairs, or spinal fusions. These often come with severe muscular and nerve pain during recovery.
• Abdominal surgeries: Including hernia repairs, appendectomies, or C-sections, which can leave patients with intense internal discomfort.
• Dental and facial surgeries: Including wisdom tooth extractions, jaw realignment, and sinus procedures, where localised pain and inflammation are common.
• Cardiac surgeries: Such as bypass or valve replacement, where chest discomfort and soreness during healing can impact daily function.
• Gynaecological procedures: Like hysterectomies or endometriosis excisions, which often involve deep tissue pain and discomfort.

For patients recovering from these procedures, finding safe and sustainable ways to manage pain is crucial for healing, and quality of life.

How cannabis may help with post-surgical pain

Cannabis contains compounds called cannabinoids, the most well-known being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating pain, mood, inflammation, and sleep.

Research and anecdotal reports suggest cannabis may offer the following benefits for surgical pain:

• Reduced inflammation: CBD in particular has shown anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease swelling around surgical sites.
• Nerve pain relief: Cannabis has been shown to ease neuropathic pain, which is common after certain surgeries like spinal procedures or mastectomies.
• Opioid-sparing effect: Some studies suggest cannabis may reduce the amount of opioid medication needed, lowering the risk of addiction or side effects.
• Improved sleep and relaxation: Recovery often requires rest, and cannabis may support better sleep and reduced anxiety.

It’s important to note that while medical cannabis may be legal and prescribed in some parts of the UK and worldwide, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right dosage, strain, and method of delivery (such as oils, capsules, or vaporisers) need to be carefully considered by a healthcare professional.

When pain isn’t just part of the recovery: Medical negligence

While pain after surgery is normal, excessive or unexplained pain could point to something else, like a surgical error, poor post-op care, or a misdiagnosis. If you’ve suffered long-term complications, unmanaged pain, or worsening symptoms after surgery, you could be a victim of medical negligence.

This is where medical negligence solicitors can help. These legal professionals specialise in cases where hospitals, surgeons, or healthcare providers have failed in their duty of care. Whether your pain stems from an avoidable infection, a retained surgical item, nerve damage, or poor follow-up treatment, you may be entitled to compensation.

Not only can compensation help cover the cost of further treatment, including therapies like cannabis-based pain management, but it can also hold negligent providers accountable and prevent similar harm to others.

Final thoughts

Cannabis isn’t a miracle cure, but it may play a supportive role in managing surgery-related pain, especially when traditional medications aren’t enough. If you’re dealing with severe pain after a common surgery, and suspect medical negligence played a role, don’t suffer in silence.

Pain should never be ignored, especially when it doesn’t feel normal.